The theme of the meeting was “Building a Culture of Accountability.” Current industry challenges were the topic of key-note speaker Jim Jura’s presentation.

Jura is the general manager and chief executive officer of Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., the generation cooperative that provides power to CREC. Jura has held the position with AECI since 1991. Jura spoke about today’s challenges in the generation industry.

“The whole country is in an era of increasing rates,” said Jura. “There are real pressures facing our system such as environmental costs and the cost of new generation.”

“One of the things we can do is work with our member-owners to help you become more efficient,” Jura added. “That will not only help you keep your bill down, but also it will help us because making more efficient use of electricity can delay the need to build new generation.”

At the beginning of the meeting, the U.S. Marine Corps color guard presented the colors and Dick Stults, CREC board trustee, led the audience in the pledge of allegiance and gave the invocation. CREC board president Len Tontz spoke about CREC’s Building a Culture of Accountability campaign.

“This year’s theme, Building a Culture of Accountability, is a very strong statement on behalf of the board and employees,” said Tontz. “We understand the challenges you face and we face as an industry. We recognize our responsibility to address these changes with a high degree of discernment and due diligence.”

Tontz spoke about the measures CREC has taken to be accountable to the member-owners.

Tontz introduced David Swank, CREC chief executive officer. Swank talked about responsibility, transparency, sacrifice and results.

“We must be accountable and engaged at all levels of our political process,” said Swank, “but we need your participation too. Together we must make our elected officials aware that we are concerned about capacity, need to be investing in new technologies, and we need to be certain when it comes to climate change that we have affordability in the forefront.”

Swank went on to say that CREC hosts District, Aware and Annual meetings to demonstrate CREC’s transparency to make certain members are aware of the affairs of their cooperative. Swank added that members look to the cooperative for results and that CREC is dedicated to leadership development so that employees will continue to provide results for its members.

The meeting ended with prize drawings.